The best flight deals to Quito

Boasting a dramatic location nestled high up in the Andean foothills, Ecuador's capital, Quito, was built upon the foundations of an ancient Incan city and was one of the first cities to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its main draw is a beautiful historic quarter that is situated a few miles from the Equatorial Line. It is an atmospheric area that blends 16th and 17th-century churches, picturesque squares, European and Moorish-influenced architecture, indigenous styles and colorful markets brimming with local handicrafts and goods. Day and night the Mariscal area, the city's main tourist and nightlife area, crackles with a vibrant energy, while the vast Metropolitan Park offers respite from the city action.

With its distinct architecture and heritage including churches and other colonial buildings, visitors can simply wander through the streets and admire the unique architecture. Museums tell the story of Ecuador's history from Incan times to the present day and the city provides the perfect jumping off point for the Cochasqui pyramids, one of Ecuador's most important archeological sites.

During your stay in Quito, you can:

• Ride the cable car to the top of the Pichincha volcano and see spectacular views of the city far below
• Stand on the Equatorial Line, just a short drive north of the city
• Watch a soccer game at the Atahualpa Stadium
• Walk through the Plaza Grande in the old town and see the 19th-century statue of independence
• Climb the Basílica del Voto Nacional, one of the largest neo-Gothic basilicas in the Americas
• Drink a coffee in the hipster neighborhood of La Floresta and browse countless galleries and shops
• Check out the buzzing nightlife around the Mariscal area
• Amble through one of the city's many parks and green spaces
• Try local dishes some of which pre-date Hispanic times
• Visit the Pucara de Rumicucho, a stone fortress built by Inca invaders in the 15th century